- Shamser Khalid
Paul Pogba Spotted Refusing to Sign Autographs
It's been a rollercoaster ride for Paul Pogba since his return to Turin in 2022. The French midfielder has been struggling with injuries, and just when he thought he was back in the game after successfully recovering from a knee problem, he picked up an adductor injury.
This latest setback has taken a toll on Pogba; he recently refused to sign autographs for Juventus fans.
La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Pogba told fans outside the J-Medical center, "Sorry, my head's not in it." This comment has raised questions about the midfielder's mental state and commitment to the club.
What Happened to Pogba?
Reportedly, Pogba may not be able to play until after the upcoming international break. He sustained a low-grade injury to the adductor of his right thigh while practicing free kicks during training.
So far, Paul Pogba's season at Juventus has been far from smooth sailing. The midfielder has only been able to make two appearances for the Bianconeri. He could have had another under his belt had he not been dropped by manager Massimiliano Allegri for the first leg of their Europa League last-16 clash against Freiburg.
According to reports, Pogba being late for a team meeting was why he got excluded from the squad.
Pogba's time at Juventus has been riddled with problems before. Earlier this season, he had to undergo surgery for a knee injury that forced him to miss the World Cup with France.
To make matters worse, Pogba's mega-money contract means that he's under a lot of pressure to perform. He's reportedly earning £8.8m a year, which is a lot of dough. So far, though, he's failed to live up to expectations. He only played 35 minutes this season, which is not what anyone was hoping for.
There are a few options for Pogba at this point. He could stay at Juventus and try to see out the rest of his contract, which has three years left to run. Or he could terminate his contract and look for a fresh start elsewhere. Another option would be to renegotiate his salary, taking a pay cut in recognition of his lack of playing time.
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Despite his struggles, Juventus manager Max Allegri has backed Pogba to bounce back from his injury and regain his form. However, Allegri also admitted that the midfielder has suffered an "emotional collapse" and must first "put his soul at peace" before he can return to the pitch.
In addition to Pogba being seen at J-Medical, Arkadiusz Milik was also spotted arriving for some tests. The Polish striker is hoping to recover in time for the upcoming Derby d'Italia, and it seems he's leaving no stone unturned in his quest for fitness.
Juventus' Recent Status
In the team's latest match, Juventus defeated Sampdoria 4-2. While there are issues going on with Pogba's status, Adrien Rabiot has stepped up to be Juventus's second-most prolific player this season. Unfortunately, Juventus' season has been a significant letdown, as they currently hold the seventh position in the Serie A standings, trailing leaders Napoli by a remarkable 30 points.
